U.S. Provides $18.7 Million of Antiretroviral Drugs to Uganda
The United States today demonstrated its ongoing commitment to improving the health of Ugandans by providing $18.7 million worth of life-saving antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) to fill gaps in the country’s public sector facilities and provide broader support to Uganda’s supply chain systems.
At a ceremony at the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Ambassador Deborah Malac witnessed the signing of an implementation letter between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Global Fund, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, and the Ministry of Health. Solidifying the partnership between the U.S. government and the Government of Uganda, the agreement noted that the Ugandan government and private sector will also contribute to Uganda’s supply chain funding, human resources, and infrastructure so that these lifesaving drugs will get to those who need them. In addition, the implementation letter also engages the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Local Government, Kampala Capital City Authority, and Joint Medical Stores.
In addition to providing lifesaving ARVs to fill gaps in the public sector, all involved parties committed to address key policy issues to improve equity and efficiency in the supply chain, improve information management systems at the National Medical Stores, and incorporate the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria as a member of the Inter-Ministerial Task Force.
Over the past five years, the U.S. government has made major contributions to ensure that essential medicines and medical supplies are available in Uganda, particularly for HIV, malaria, and family planning, in both the private not-for-profit and the public sectors. This $18.7 million commodities donation is part of the U.S. government’s $402 million dollar investment in Uganda through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) this fiscal year.